Don't get what a problem, but mint is poop

Originally posted by warriorofthewind:

I am not going to tinker with the rig until next week but i would appreciate any advice.

You could say what the actual issue is, and what you've done.

New AMD hardware requires a newer kernel version and a newer Mesa version. I've seen reports of a performance regression on newer AMD cards if you go too new with the kernel.

I have an event going on currently and one monitor to share between rigs so i cant turn loonie on just yet. I just know that whenever i dug through it did not list a driver for the card. You had to time turning on the monitr and the rig just right or else the monitor would refusue to turn on. Everything else works just fine but art programs are sluggish and even low graphics games like say halls of torment run like potato. If i could reach out to my linux bro friend id give him a slap upside the head because i took him at his word that hed help me after a week and a week later he dropped into the twilight zone. Windows 11 is absolutely not an option with me and i cant ask my techbro BIL to help because he keeps trying to sell me on windows. I had screenshots of what the console spat out on the rig i just need to dust off the monitor cables and plug him back in.

What`s the issue exactly? Everything works fine but gpu performance sucks? Are you, by any chance, plugging the hdmi/dp cable to the motherboard instead of the gpu?

Mint 21 is old, it probably doesn't support the RX 7xxx series (requires mesa >= 22.3 and kernel 6.something).

Thats what im not sure about im hearing about mint 22 but not sure how itd affect my hd if im going to need to backup or if it just operates like a normal update. Its not the cables it says no card listed even though there is a card. Im fairly certain its the driver because when i try to look at resolution settings it doesnt list anything not even a monitor. Ill have time to plug it back in and look at it after my work days to give specifics.

This will be a bit long, a shorter version is at the bottom (but if you want some answers, read the whole thing)

So your problems consist of bad performance that might be the graphics card/driver's problem.

In that case, maybe Linux Mint 21 is not for you. Although Linux Mint 21 isn't "dead", or unsupported, it does have an older kernel and older Ubuntu LTS version. Even Debian has a more recent kernel compared to Linux Mint 21. You are also using older packages from Ubuntu 22.04, over 2.5 year old packages, which might cause some issues depending on what hardware you have.

So I have a few solutions for you:

1. Choose another distro. It may not sound like a good idea, but a different distro might solve your driver, GPU, and app problems. Distributions like Fedora, Bazzite, and Arch might work better for you, because all of them have some of the most recent kernels and packages. Updated kernels are important as they often fix issues with hardware, or even include new hardware. AMD has recommended at least using kernel 6.4 for good support. Different distros might also have updated Mesa packages. Mesa is important because it essentially drivers for your GPU. Newer kernel and Mesa versions are needed for newer GPUs and if you want new technology features. If you switch to another distro, I would recommend "Fedora Linux". It is very up-to-date, with added stability compared to Arch Linux. Be sure to use the "KDE Spin" version, as it has a very familiar interface. Even though you might be tempted to use the official "Workstation" version, it uses GNOME interface, which might not look as familiar compared to Cinnamon. There is also a Cinnamon version of Fedora, but if you want things like good Wayland support, HDR support, etc., KDE is a better option. Either way, any version of Fedora will give you updated packages.

2. Update to Linux Mint 22. If you absolutely need Linux Mint, no exceptions, you should at least upgrade to the newest version of Linux Mint. In fact, as of today (1/16/2025), Linux Mint 22.1 is almost out. Linux Mint 22 has a very updated kernel, jumping up to kernel 6.8, with massive improvements, which can help with bad performance. It also has a semi-newer Mesa version, so it might help with games, drivers, and apps. Linux Mint 22 uses Ubuntu 24.04, which is less than a year old, so you get updated packages.

3. Switch to Windows (the bad option). I know you might not want to switch to Windows, but if you are constantly having issues, maybe switching to Windows will help. But this doesn't have to be permanent! You might have to use Windows for a while until Linux starts maturing and getting better support. It is fine if you need to go back to Windows, because your needs might be greater. Only try this option if you've tried everything and/or really need a working computer as soon as possible.

Remember to do your research on Linux distributions, and get information from trusted people/channels. Random people online might say good or bad things about a distro, but it's up to you to fact-check. And don't rush yourself, that is a mistake I have made a lot.

I hope this helps, good luck!

TLDR: Linux Mint 21 might be too old, use a different distro, upgrade to Linux Mint 22, or use Windows for better performance and packages.

Originally posted by Weegee:

This will be a bit long, a shorter version is at the bottom (but if you want some answers, read the whole thing)

So your problems consist of bad performance that might be the graphics card/driver's problem.

In that case, maybe Linux Mint 21 is not for you. Although Linux Mint 21 isn't "dead", or unsupported, it does have an older kernel and older Ubuntu LTS version. Even Debian has a more recent kernel compared to Linux Mint 21. You are also using older packages from Ubuntu 22.04, over 2.5 year old packages, which might cause some issues depending on what hardware you have.

So I have a few solutions for you:

1. Choose another distro. It may not sound like a good idea, but a different distro might solve your driver, GPU, and app problems. Distributions like Fedora, Bazzite, and Arch might work better for you, because all of them have some of the most recent kernels and packages. Updated kernels are important as they often fix issues with hardware, or even include new hardware. AMD has recommended at least using kernel 6.4 for good support. Different distros might also have updated Mesa packages. Mesa is important because it essentially drivers for your GPU. Newer kernel and Mesa versions are needed for newer GPUs and if you want new technology features. If you switch to another distro, I would recommend "Fedora Linux". It is very up-to-date, with added stability compared to Arch Linux. Be sure to use the "KDE Spin" version, as it has a very familiar interface. Even though you might be tempted to use the official "Workstation" version, it uses GNOME interface, which might not look as familiar compared to Cinnamon. There is also a Cinnamon version of Fedora, but if you want things like good Wayland support, HDR support, etc., KDE is a better option. Either way, any version of Fedora will give you updated packages.

2. Update to Linux Mint 22. If you absolutely need Linux Mint, no exceptions, you should at least upgrade to the newest version of Linux Mint. In fact, as of today (1/16/2025), Linux Mint 22.1 is almost out. Linux Mint 22 has a very updated kernel, jumping up to kernel 6.8, with massive improvements, which can help with bad performance. It also has a semi-newer Mesa version, so it might help with games, drivers, and apps. Linux Mint 22 uses Ubuntu 24.04, which is less than a year old, so you get updated packages.

3. Switch to Windows (the bad option). I know you might not want to switch to Windows, but if you are constantly having issues, maybe switching to Windows will help. But this doesn't have to be permanent! You might have to use Windows for a while until Linux starts maturing and getting better support. It is fine if you need to go back to Windows, because your needs might be greater. Only try this option if you've tried everything and/or really need a working computer as soon as possible.

Remember to do your research on Linux distributions, and get information from trusted people/channels. Random people online might say good or bad things about a distro, but it's up to you to fact-check. And don't rush yourself, that is a mistake I have made a lot.

I hope this helps, good luck! :bricktherat:

TLDR: Linux Mint 21 might be too old, use a different distro, upgrade to Linux Mint 22, or use Windows for better performance and packages.

Thank you for offering a comprehensive answer. Windows is absolutely not an option for me but if all else fails i can use the win7 rig for art. I havent plugged loonie in yet need to get a dedicated monitor so one monitor isnt being shared between rigs. I need to find the console images i took but i know when i used the command no driver showed up and ive seen that amd have a rocky relationship when it comes to drivers, and it f very well could be mint 21. If i cant game with it maybe i can just get a steam deck but thats a can of worms for another day. Im still frustrated over my linux bro friend i think he had a death in the family or something but he completely shut down. his entire steam account is private i have no idea whats going on with him.

But i do appreciate you offering an exhaustive response besides the usual "lol y u use mint lol" or "use windows hurr durr". I have read how linux is making leaps and bounds with compatibility lately so thats encouraging. Ive done a year without loonie i can survive but i would like to get it up and running otherwise itd be a giant fan unit as it generates more cool air than win7 rig....

Ok i finally got loonie plugged into power and a dedicated monitor set up but it isnt booting to the login screen i remember it scrolls through a ton of stuff then says ubuntu 24.04.1 lts yodi tty1 then asks for login and password. I remember the password but i cant remember the login and they w ere just placeholders because i barely hwd even begu. Breaking in the rig before i had problems with the graphics before i had to send it off. I tried calling the gadget guy but his voicemail is full and i thought it might have to do with the internet cable but that didnt seem to work either.

Im legitimately getting frustrated because ive been trying to ask the tech guy whats up with this black screen and hes ghosting me he keeps promising to call by the end of the day then doesnt. When i turn on the rig it rolls through stuff then i see one red line that says "failed to start systemd-networkd-wait-online.service" "wait for network to be configured" then it says "see systemctl status systemd-networkd-wait-online.service for details"

Ive paid alot for this rrig both the parts and the work and no one seems to know what theyre doing.

Originally posted by warriorofthewind:

but it isnt booting to the login screen i remember it scrolls through a ton of stuff then says ubuntu 24.04.1 lts yodi tty1 then asks for login and password

Unless you're a Linux expert you won't be able to fix this one. I'd suggest reinstalling the device with Linux Mint 22.1 which runs fine for all AMD users. Make sure to disable the integrated GPU in the BIOS and plug the monitor into the dedicated GPU, not the mainboard. There should be plenty of Youtube videos to guide you through the install.

If the monitor does not show an image on boot your issue is either a dead GPU or an old BIOS.

Originally posted by Yoth:

Originally posted by warriorofthewind:

but it isnt booting to the login screen i remember it scrolls through a ton of stuff then says ubuntu 24.04.1 lts yodi tty1 then asks for login and password

Unless you're a Linux expert you won't be able to fix this one. I'd suggest reinstalling the device with Linux Mint 22.1 which runs fine for all AMD users. Make sure to disable the integrated GPU in the BIOS and plug the monitor into the dedicated GPU, not the mainboard. There should be plenty of Youtube videos to guide you through the install.

If the monitor does not show an image on boot your issue is either a dead GPU or an old BIOS.

Will do. Ive had to move since then and havent set up loonie yet.